Posted - 2008.11.08 19:03:00 -
[1]
The live dev blog was exciting. The plans that CCP has for growing EVE sound great.

But I have some considerable trepidation regarding world wide boxed distribution via a large company, in this case Atari. Don't get me wrong, Atari may well be a much better choice than EA or Sony; but many independent game developers have had terrific MMOs pushed off track due to the complications and contractual obligations involved with big distribution companies.

What CCP undoubtedly has going for it is that EVE is an established product with a proven business model and 5 years of success in the market. This will give them a very strong position to partner with Atari from. Hopefully,they can avoid any arrangements that would give outside agencies a say in how the game is developed.

Originally by:DiametrixThe live dev blog was exciting. The plans that CCP has for growing EVE sound great.

But I have some considerable trepidation regarding world wide boxed distribution via a large company, in this case Atari. Don't get me wrong, Atari may well be a much better choice than EA or Sony; but many independent game developers have had terrific MMOs pushed off track due to the complications and contractual obligations involved with big distribution companies.

What CCP undoubtedly has going for it is that EVE is an established product with a proven business model and 5 years of success in the market. This will give them a very strong position to partner with Atari from. Hopefully,they can avoid any arrangements that would give outside agencies a say in how the game is developed.

Everyone remembers Star Wars Galaxies.

Im almost certain the relationship between CCP and Atari will be purely for retail and distribution of future CCP products, which is a good thing considering the long arm reach Atari has in those fields.

Posted - 2008.11.08 19:12:00 -
[4]
I know the Relationship between Blizzard and Atari [wasn't it?] at least made the whole stuff ino a greedy company which can be seen at a Starcraft 2 being split into 3 parts one per campaign...I dont wanbt to pay 150G for 1 game... [because 3*50G it will be most likely]

so I am not sure what impact Atari might have on CCP, getting them mroe greedy? Handy Ringtones for eve costing 1.99 the thingy with Abonemment? *brrr*

Originally by:Mordekai BloodwakeIm almost certain the relationship between CCP and Atari will be purely for retail and distribution of future CCP products, which is a good thing considering the long arm reach Atari has in those fields.

Personally, that just makes the most business sense. CCP already has their product and infrastructure. They're not looking for a publisher to front them money, but simply to distribute boxes.

For CCP, it's a good deal because they have the potential to reach a lot more players (can't say the number of times I've perused Electronics Boutique's PC game section for anything interesting I haven't tried yet)

For ATARI, it's an easy investment. They simply need to print and package the material and they get their cut with very initial investment.

And everyone forgets that CCP owns the rights to distribute its own product however it sees fit. This isn't an acquisition, just an alternative way they're publishing their software. You'll always see the digitally distributed option.

I wasn't suggesting that there was an aquisition of CCP or any of its Intellectual Properties by Atari.

It is my, admittedly limited, understanding of big box computer game distribution that it often goes something like this:

Game Developer A: "We have this terrific game but we lack the 1) capital, 2)market connections, and 3) complex committed infrastructure necessary to box, reproduce, advertise, negotiate shelf space and marketing deals with retailers worldwide.

Game Distributor B: "We have 1, 2 and 3. We'll provide those for you but understand that we are commiting a large financial investment in the success of this project and as part of our agreement we want to be certain your game will succeed in the markets we're pushing it to."

Game Dev A: "Oh, thanks,it's a great game! Just look at it!" [The big difference here is that EVE is already out with a HUGE subscriber base, proven performance and successful track record, giving CCP terrific bargaining position.]

Game Distrib. B: "Oh hey, this that and the other thing are WRONG w/ your product and if you want us to market it worldwide you have to change them in the game."

Alot of start-up companies faced with this dilemma have to cave in to the big box company if they want the shelf space and market exposure.

I believe CCP's position is different. I just want to point out the concern with such a drastic change in their approach to growing the game we love.

I wasn't suggesting that there was an aquisition of CCP or any of its Intellectual Properties by Atari.

It is my, admittedly limited, understanding of big box computer game distribution that it often goes something like this:

Game Developer A: "We have this terrific game but we lack the 1) capital, 2)market connections, and 3) complex committed infrastructure necessary to box, reproduce, advertise, negotiate shelf space and marketing deals with retailers worldwide.

Game Distributor B: "We have 1, 2 and 3. We'll provide those for you but understand that we are commiting a large financial investment in the success of this project and as part of our agreement we want to be certain your game will succeed in the markets we're pushing it to."

Game Dev A: "Oh, thanks,it's a great game! Just look at it!" [The big difference here is that EVE is already out with a HUGE subscriber base, proven performance and successful track record, giving CCP terrific bargaining position.]

Game Distrib. B: "Oh hey, this that and the other thing are WRONG w/ your product and if you want us to market it worldwide you have to change them in the game."

Alot of start-up companies faced with this dilemma have to cave in to the big box company if they want the shelf space and market exposure.

I believe CCP's position is different. I just want to point out the concern with such a drastic change in their approach to growing the game we love.

It's definitely a change, but in the case of what you're talking about above, that's more of a conventional publishing deal. In those cases, publishers dump money into developers, thus have a huge investment in the final product (and then tend to try to strongarm said developer on various points as you suggest). I highly doubt that's the case here, is all I'm saying.

Posted - 2008.11.08 20:52:00 -
[15]
Personally I wouldn't touch Atari, fka as Infogrames, with a stick and since the MoO3 disaster have made sure to never buy a game again they had their filthy fingers in.

But as long as they don't have anything to do with actual game development, I guess I can live with it.And if you are reading this, you have arrived at the signature without noticing...

Originally by:ResnikSome of us still have that old red box of EVE since 2003 :)

It's still sitting in the stack on my desk to this day , although it was crucial that did the distribution back then. Actually the old boxed copys are still worth buying if you see them for 2/3 quid, the gtc in them still work

I wasn't suggesting that there was an aquisition of CCP or any of its Intellectual Properties by Atari.

It is my, admittedly limited, understanding of big box computer game distribution that it often goes something like this:

Game Developer A: "We have this terrific game but we lack the 1) capital, 2)market connections, and 3) complex committed infrastructure necessary to box, reproduce, advertise, negotiate shelf space and marketing deals with retailers worldwide.

Game Distributor B: "We have 1, 2 and 3. We'll provide those for you but understand that we are commiting a large financial investment in the success of this project and as part of our agreement we want to be certain your game will succeed in the markets we're pushing it to."

Game Dev A: "Oh, thanks,it's a great game! Just look at it!" [The big difference here is that EVE is already out with a HUGE subscriber base, proven performance and successful track record, giving CCP terrific bargaining position.]

Game Distrib. B: "Oh hey, this that and the other thing are WRONG w/ your product and if you want us to market it worldwide you have to change them in the game."

Alot of start-up companies faced with this dilemma have to cave in to the big box company if they want the shelf space and market exposure.

I believe CCP's position is different. I just want to point out the concern with such a drastic change in their approach to growing the game we love.

It's definitely a change, but in the case of what you're talking about above, that's more of a conventional publishing deal. In those cases, publishers dump money into developers, thus have a huge investment in the final product (and then tend to try to strongarm said developer on various points as you suggest). I highly doubt that's the case here, is all I'm saying.

It's a win-win situation. CCP gets to tap into Atari distribution network, and Atari get to (re)launch a successful and well established MMO. It's a way of bringing new players that would not normally use the digital download model.

Any aspiring newblet can fly any of those ships on the cover after about 1 year (Moros, Phoenix, Nyx, etc).

Was going to say the same thing. Why not have a cover with Battlecruisers/Battleships and frigates? It would still look epic and the ships on the box would be ships that a newbie can fly within a few weeks/month. I've been playing the game a year and I still don't have a capital yet

Any aspiring newblet can fly any of those ships on the cover after about 1 year (Moros, Phoenix, Nyx, etc).

Was going to say the same thing. Why not have a cover with Battlecruisers/Battleships and frigates? It would still look epic and the ships on the box would be ships that a newbie can fly within a few weeks/month. I've been playing the game a year and I still don't have a capital yet

Who would want to fly a capital? I guess a carrier would be damb useful to haul my menagerie of ships about, but why all the angst over a glorified hauler?

Posted - 2008.11.20 21:21:00 -
[30]
i believe that they will just distribute the box set, they're not taking over as publisher.

Originally by:No'akaiAnyhow, will this mean that the expansions will cost money?

Devs said no - the expansions will remain free, this is just a way of giving new players everything in one go. it's a pretty common way of MMOG's milking money from people who are unwilling to buy an older game and then have to pay for each expansion (not the case here, of course)

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